Naked Man Is Found Dead on Whale's Back in SeaWorld Pool

ORLANDO, Fla. — A naked man was found dead Tuesday morning on the back of a killer whale in a tank at SeaWorld Orlando, apparently after remaining in the Florida theme park after closing time, police said.

"The man was found nude on the whale's back," said Jim Solomons, spokesman for the Orange County sheriff's office. "There was no obvious trauma--he wasn't bitten or chewed up or anything."

Investigators said an autopsy would determine the cause of death, and drowning was considered a strong possibility. The man's name was not released, but police said he was 27 years old.

Swimming trunks were found at the bottom of the pool.

Solomons said the man was not a whale trainer or other SeaWorld employee.

"We believe this might have been a man who was seen around the park for several days, taking an interest in the whales," SeaWorld general manager Vic Abbey said. "He may have been hiding until the park closed."